la‧dy /ˈleɪdi/
'British English' 'American English' noun (
plural ladies)
[countable] [Language: Old English; Origin: hlæfdige, from hlaf 'bread' + -dige 'one who kneads']
1.
a) a woman of a particular type or age
young/old/elderly etc lady
b) a word meaning woman, used especially to describe women’s sports or products made for women
ladies’ team/champion/championship etc
the ladies’ darts team
ladies’ fashion/clothing/shoes etc
ladies’ underwear
c) a word meaning woman, used in order to be polite ⇨ gentleman:
The young lady at reception sent me up here.
Give your coat to the lady over there.
lady doctor/lawyer etc (=a polite word, which many women find offensive, for a woman doctor, lawyer, etc)
REGISTER
Lady often sounds old-fashioned, especially when it is used about younger women. In everyday English, people usually say woman:
▪ His cousin is a 26-year-old woman who works in a kindergarten.
2. a woman who is polite and behaves very well ⇨ gentleman:
She knows how to behave like a lady.
3. Lady used as the title of the wife or daughter of a British ↑nobleman or the wife of a ↑knight:
Lady Spencer
4. the ladies
a) British English a women’s toilet SYN ladies’ room American English ⇨ the gents’
b) a word meaning women, often used humorously:
His boyish good looks made him a favourite with the ladies. ⇨ LADIES’ MAN
5. ladies spoken formal used to speak to a group of women:
Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please?
6. a woman, especially one with a strong character – used to show approval:
She can be a tough lady to negotiate with.
7. lady friend a woman that a man is having a romantic relationship with – often used humorously SYN girlfriend:
I saw Chris with his new lady friend.
8. lady of leisure a woman who does not work and has a lot of free time – used humorously:
So you’re a lady of leisure now that the kids are at school?
9. American English spoken used when talking directly to a woman you do not know, when you are angry with her:
Hey, lady, would you mind getting out of my way?
REGISTER
Addressing a woman directly as lady sounds rude. In polite American English, people use Miss or Ma'am instead:
▪ Can I help you, Miss?
10. Our Lady an expression used to mean Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ
11. the lady of the house old-fashioned the most important woman in a house, usually the mother of a family
12. old-fashioned a woman born into a high social class in Britain:
I could see the Queen, surrounded by her lords and ladies.
13. old-fashioned a man’s wife:
the captain and his lady
⇨ ↑bag lady, ⇨ cleaning lady at ↑cleaning, ⇨ ↑first lady, ⇨ leading lady at ↑leading1, ⇨ ↑lollipop lady, ↑old lady, ⇨ young lady at ↑young1(3)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ woman a female adult person: a young woman with dark brown hair
▪ lady a polite word for a woman – used especially when you do not know the woman, or when the person you are talking to does not know the woman: A glass of white wine please, for this lady here. | The young lady stood up and shook my hand.
▪ girl a young female person – usually used about someone younger than about twenty: a very pretty girl | teenage girls
▪ female formal a woman – used especially when you are giving information about women, for example in formal surveys and reports: Females account for 46% of Internet users.
